JOHESU urged to suspend strike, as Benue NMA backs out

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau State branch, is worried that demands by the striking Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) are ill motivated, misguided and mischievous.
  
Addressing a press conference, yesterday, at its headquarters in Jos, Acting NMA Chairman in the state, Dr. Daje Titus Bulus, said the demands could frustrate past gains to stabilise the health sector.He advised health workers in the state to suspend their involvement in the strike and reciprocate the state governor’s good will in the payment of salaries regularly.

Also, JOHESU members from the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Makurdi and Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) have dissociated themselves from the strike.

In a statement, Benue state NMA Chairman, Dr. Obekpa I. Obekpa and Secretary, Dr. Nwaeze Chukwuemeka, disclosed that JOHESU’s demands, which include earning equal pay with doctors, appointment as consultants, among others, are baseless.
 
Bulus cited particularly the demand for salary parity with doctors, technically called CONHESS Adjustment. He said state and local government workers’ involvement in the strike is unfortunate and disheartening. According to him, it is an attempt to arm-twist government into acceding to their demands, which if implemented, would lead to another vicious cycle of industrial disharmony and service disruption in health institutions.

He said: “Doctors in our various health institutions are currently working and providing essential live-saving services to patients, including JOHESU members that need medical help.

The general public is, therefore, advised to access these services from our hardworking doctors, who are working against all odds to save lives instead of patronising quacks and substandard care from the streets.”